Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

We Need Each Other

The wisdom literature is timeless. No matter what generation reads these words truth rings as clear as the day it was penned. In the beginning the Creator realized it was not good for man to be alone. He made a help meet. The need for companionship is also needed for all of us to learn our fellowship with God. No man should be an ‘island to himself’ without the interaction of others. Sharing our lives is a basic need of who we are.

One of the great blessings of being a saint is the relationship we have in the body of Christ. The church is made up of people who need people. No matter where we are in life we need a friendly companion. Singing together lifts our spirits because we are singing together. Notice the use of “our spirits” and “we are singing” as an indicator of how much we need one another. It is easier to bear burdens of grief when there is a shoulder to lean on. Battling sin every day will become easier when I share my burden with others. Rejoicing with friends of some good news warms the heart. Standing with friends I can be a stronger force against the disparity of life and onslaught of sin. United we stand because we stand united.

The week is almost gone. In a couple of days we assemble with fellow Christians. What does that day mean? There are many doctrinal answers. But one answer we should never overlook is how important I am to others when I am there. And – please know how important you are when we are together. If we worship with a small number of saints the absence of another is greatly noticed. In larger numbers it may seem as apparent but it is just as important. We need each other. The empty pew is a powerful sermon either of need or lack of interest.

Companionship goes beyond the assembly on Sunday. It also has to do with our fellowship during the week. We all need to remember the importance of spending time with one another – no television, smart phones, IPads – just human beings enjoying company with one another. The real problem in America is we don’t build houses with porches and so often we have porches that are never used. Two people sitting on the porch learning how to love one another is better than anything we find on the electronic landscape. It is even better when we invited others into our home and share our lives with one another. A congregation that spends time with one another grows together. It builds a spirit of unity that is difficult to break. Bonding. It is what makes churches grow.

I need you and you need me. See how easy that is? Let us thread our lives together to bring greater strength to the body of Christ. Be strong – be united – be together.

We are not isolated souls, singular, lonely, called and engaged in a solitary effort. We are members of a great company and whether we think it or not, we pray in company. (John W. Lynch, Hourglass, 1952)